Barcelona, May 21 thru May 24
May 21 Our first full day in Barcelona. Having been here several times before we wanted to just enjoy the city and the neighborhood and the beach. We also wanted to go somewhere each day as well. We decided to get a 2 day transportation pass. We both agreed, no hop on hop off bus this time. Barcelona had 3 to 4 cruise ships in both days we were here. This city is complaining about too many cruise ships passengers. I can see why. While I had been on line to look at activities, I didn’t ask the best questions…. We took the metro to the Sagrada Família (the huge cathedral that they said would never be finished but they now say is finished). We tried to buy tickets and found there were no tickets until sometime next month. We had seen it earlier so we looked at the outside and ate a great lunch at a sidewalk cafe and watched all the tours walk by us, so many people. It was a hot sunny day. We took the metro and then the bus to the beach next to us. So many people! Back to the apartment for a cool down rest and then in our swimsuits we went to back to the beach to swim. It was very very cool with most on the beach sunbathing and a few in the water. It took at least 15 minutes starting with just feet in the water and slowly adjusting to the water. Finally we were in and swimming. David got out but Jackie stayed there for a half hour swimming and David enjoyed some beach time. Walking out uphill in the sand is getting more challenging so David always comes back to give her a hand. What a stand up guy! These beaches are amazing, they go on and on and the one close to us has hundreds if not thousands of people lying on the sand, 4 or more volleyball courts that are always full, even a sand sculpture person with real talent. He made a volcano and put fire in a cup and the next day he did a long sea serpant. Wish I’d had the camera to take a picture of those as well as the water camera to capture the people on the beach from the water. Amazing.
We walked over to an outdoor cafe we’d seen earlier for steak and shrimp for dinner. On the way there we saw a band on one of the streets and on the way back we heard about 6 older men playing instruments at their dinner table at one of the outdoor cafes. All around were excited to hear them.
The next day we found out why all the music. They were celebrating the Cors Muts. (Silent Choirs). Is is very loud but the silent means no singing/no words. Some groups added firecrackers lite in a garbage can. It started with them dressing alike and playing music (no words). The families would celebrate with them as they left to go away together for a few days. Now they do dress alike and play music in groups all over this neighborhood. We also saw groups of women. Usually they would parade around and the main road next to us was closed to busses and cars. Very festive but I don’t think they go off on their own anymore. It cause bus changes so we had to walk farther….
We went on the metro to see Park Guelph but by accident wound up at Sagrada Família but took the metro then bus there. It was up on a hill so took pictures of the view and found out the next tickets were for 1500hr. Learning a lot about checking for tickets or pre buying for the time we wanted to go in a very crowded tourist area. We did get to Montjuic Cable Car and we saw the Castle (an old fort built to defend the city). They had a funicular in the metro station to take us up there. When we came down we took the bus back to the metro station near our apartment as the it couldn’t go on the closed roads.
Then swimming again, a quick FaceTime with Bryce, Kaitie and the kids as they left for a few days in Vancouver. D
The last morning, packing up, a quick trip to the beach and then taking the suitcases down those stairs to go find an Uber to take us to the NLC cruise ship, our first of 3 cruises on this trip. More good times.
